Skin Deep

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Skin Deep

R

Released Mar 3, 1989

1h 41m

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

32%

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28 Reviews

56%

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2,500+ Ratings

Hard-drinking novelist Zach Hutton (John Ritter) spirals out of control after his wife (Alyson Reed) and mistress both leave him. Alone and crippled by a bad case of writer's block, Zach slips in and out of casual relationships and one-night stands, while his drinking becomes more and more severe. With the help of a bartender (Vincent Gardenia) and his therapist (Michael Kidd), Zach confronts his demons -- women and alcohol -- and rediscovers his writing voice.

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Critics Consensus

John Ritter's charm goes a long way, but aside from a few funny moments, Skin Deep sees writer-director Blake Edwards recycling his own material.

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Kathy Huffhines

Detroit Free Press

These women exist only to wear clothes and take them off. With clothes is better than without, since the communication of genuine sexual attraction isn't one of the movie's strong points.

Rated: 5/10

Jun 18, 2021

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Michael H. Price

Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com

John Ritter reminds us of just how strong a seriocomic actor he can be in this almost-sequel to Blake Edwards' "10."

Rated: 7/10

Jun 18, 2021

Full Review

Kevin Thomas

Los Angeles Times

"Skin Deep" has a couple of the funniest moments Edwards ever devised; it has John Ritter's easy-to-take charm, but it ends up living up to its title far too closely.

Jun 18, 2021

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Joe Leydon

The Moving Picture Show

Even when he's dealing with serious subjects, Edwards still can make an audience laugh with some of the best-timed sight gags in contemporary cinema.

Nov 25, 2021

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Skin Deep is overall a letdown coming from this talented filmmaker.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jul 24, 2021

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Hal Lipper

Tampa Bay Times

A few hilarious situations hardly compensate for this otherwise turgid meditation on middle-age woes.

Rated: 2/5

Jun 18, 2021

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Barry J

One of the best movies of all time. Don't read the negative reviews. This movie is hilarious. Along with making several great points, that most reviewers apparently can't see. He is a womanizer and alcoholic that has several demons. Instead of seeing the movie for how sad he truly is. Most of the reviews just see a bunch of nude women. Most men love the thought of being with several women and loving them all. But this movie shows how truly sad it is. And how many of us have those demons we fight daily. Plus, it's a movie that makes you laugh!! And we all need that.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/20/23

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barry j

John Ritters best movie! Not only is he hilarious. But this movie goes deep into alcoholism and addiction.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

One of my favorite comedies from the 80's!! Love John Ritter (he was perfectly cast in this movie) and Blake Edward movies!!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

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Paul K

One of my all time favorite comedies. Ritter at the top of his game.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/01/20

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Audience Member

such a great movie, john Ritter was amazing. Great Romantic Comedy. helpful and inspiration for those with substance abuse

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

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Audience Member

(If you are a middle aged man, especially) You owe to yourself to watch this movie. I liked the story, the funny parts and Ritter's performance. The only minus...it borrows a few bits from "10".

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/18/23

Full Review

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Blake Edwards

Director

John Ritter

Zach

Vincent Gardenia

Barney

Alyson Reed

Alex

Joel Brooks

Jake

Julianne Phillips

Molly

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Synopsis

Hard-drinking novelist Zach Hutton (John Ritter) spirals out of control after his wife (Alyson Reed) and mistress both leave him. Alone and crippled by a bad case of writer's block, Zach slips in and out of casual relationships and one-night stands, while his drinking becomes more and more severe. With the help of a bartender (Vincent Gardenia) and his therapist (Michael Kidd), Zach confronts his demons -- women and alcohol -- and rediscovers his writing voice.

Director: Blake Edwards
Producer: Tony Adams
Screenwriter: Blake Edwards
Distributor: Media Home Entertainment, 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Morgan Creek Productions
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 3, 1989, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 27, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $19.4M
Runtime: 1h 41m
Sound Mix: Surround

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